The scientific literature concerned with juvenile sex offenders shows that this is a particularly resistant population to change (Rich, 2003). They are forming a particular subgroup that differs in several aspects from the juvenile offender population in general (Tardif et al., 2012; Venziano and Veneziano, 2002; Andrade, Vincent and Saleh, 2005). Indeed, juvenile sex offenders have several deficits in social skills and interpersonal relationships, (Tardif et al., 2012; Carpentier, 2008; Becker, 1993; Hunter and Figueredo, 2000; Veneziano and Veneziano, 2002). Knowing that the therapeutic alliance is a key element in patient involvement in treatment and that its success is associated with a decreased risk of recidivism (Brannon and Troyer, 1991; Rubinstein, Yeager, Goodstein and Lewis, 1993); it is important to identify factors that promote or undermine the establishment of a therapeutic alliance with this specific population. This research helps to highlight the influence of personal, environmental and social characteristics of the young on the establishment of a therapeutic alliance in context of authority.
This sample counted 76 teenagers who have committed sexual offenses which have been followed in different specialized treatment centers for sexual offenders located throughout the province of Quebec. The statistical analysies (correlation and regression) revealed several significant relationships between the adolescent’s individual and environmental characteristics and the therapeutic alliance. Indeed, factors related to post-traumatic stress symptoms, social skills and stress-coping strategies are associated with little or no development of the therapeutic alliance. On the other hand, factors referring to motivation level to change, the family environment, interpersonal as well as social support are more positively associated with. Thus, therapists working with adolescents molesters should consider the level of motivation and the characteristics of the family environment of these adolescents because they seem related to the construction of the therapeutic alliance during the therapy. However, it is important to note that the findings of this study does not establish causal relationships between variables in study, but still indicate some interesting tracks on the factors to consider when it comes to building a therapeutic alliance during a change process with adolescents sex offenders.